A raft of possible amendments concerning future land and residential development on the West Coast will go before the Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP) Committee on Tuesday.
The future of Franz Josef is up for consideration. Photo:
The additions include a list of 215 identified 'sites of significance to Māori', and a new special coastal hazard area for Westport, similar to that proposed for Hokitika.
The future of Franz Josef, significant natural areas (SNAs) and noise will also be considered.
TTPP planner Edith Bretherton said the 'exposure' document for the coastal and natural hazards put out last month, had generated 68 pieces of specific feedback, with natural hazard provisions for Westport separately generating 23.
Bretherton said under the Resource Management Act, natural hazards had been included in the plan. This was a significant change since the existing three district plans were written for Buller, Grey and Westland councils.
"The change was in response to the loss of life and damage to property and the environment from the Christchurch earthquake sequence," she said.
State Highway 67 from Westport to Cape Foulwind during heavy rain in February this year. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
Principal planner Lois Easton, on Westport natural hazards, said feedback sought a combination of zone changes, and to the natural hazard provisions.
Some "Westport-specific" natural hazard rules are being recommended to recognise:
- The large number of buildings exposed to natural hazards in the town;
- Future development of a protection scheme; and
- The fact there are no current floodwalls, or details on the proposed scheme and when it will be built.
The argument Westport be treated differently was "reasonable and appropriate," because of the significant existing development in the area.
Hokitika and Greymouth did have severe flood and coastal hazard areas, but a much smaller number of landowners were affected.
For Franz Josef zoning, the Westland District Council wants more time to refine a master plan.
Meanwhile, further amendments for Franz Josef could be included for the draft by 31 May or through a formal submission when the plan is publicly notified in July.
"The Alpine Fault and the Waiho River are the most severe of these hazards, but there are wider issues with land instability - which is exacerbated by the risks from the Alpine Fault and severe weather."
Easton said a schedule of sites and areas of significance to Māori was required by law.
The existing three district plans did not identify sites and areas of significance to Māori.
It had meant a lot of detailed work over the past year to identify them by Poutini Ngāi Tahu staff and the kaiwhakahaere of the two hapū (sub-tribes, Ngati Waewae and Ngati Mahaki).
"It is a very significant piece of work and has resulted in the identification of 215 sites and areas for inclusion within the plan."
The decision to reduce the time spent developing the plan meant the schedule of sites had not been completed.
The committee last week sought a further report on SNAs, as the Westland and Buller councils had not previously identified them. The planners are recommending that:
- For Buller and Westland SNAs the criteria of the West Coast Regional Policy Statement be used to assess significance
- Areas of significant indigenous vegetation and fauna habitat will be identified through the resource consent process until district wide SNA identification and mapping is done
- Buller and Westland SNA assessments be completed by June 2027 and;
- Identified areas will be added to through a plan change to the TTPP.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
